Sikles & Kapuche Lake Trek

Best Season

You can go on the Sikles and kapuche lake Trek in any season. But the perfect time in Sikles is spring, starting from March to May, and autumn, starting from September to November.  Because the weather is neither too hot nor too cold in these seasons. In the spring, bright flowers blossom along woodland pathways and lush green valleys, adding to the enjoyment of trekking. Similarly, brilliant blue skies and breathtaking mountain views attract a huge number of hikers during the autumn season. The days are bright and pleasant in the fall, making it the favorite trekking season for practically all trekkers who wish to visit here.

Elevation & Distance

The Sikles and kapuche lake Trek begins around a 200-kilometer bus ride from Kathmandu city to Pokhara. You’ll be walking from Hemja to Kharpani on the fourth day, ascending an elevation of 1140 meters. The highest trekking spot in this journey will be Ghalegaun, with an altitude of 2713 meters. The second-highest trekking destination will be Sikles village, situated at an altitude of 2000 meters. So, you don’t need to worry about altitude sickness on this journey. There is a highly reduced probability of suffering from altitude sickness due to the low altitude compared to other classic treks, making this journey safer and easier.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

You need to walk an average of five to six hours daily. This is a very easy-level trek compared to other treks like the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp. The minimum walk per day will be three to four hours when trekking from Kalikasthan to Begnas Lake. Likewise, your maximum walk per day will be six to seven hours when trekking from Ghalegaun to Parche. This day, your trekking will be a little challenging compared to other days. So, stay hydrated and energized to minimize the weariness in your body.

Accommodation, Food & Drink

During this Annapurna Sikles Trek, you’ll experience basic accommodation and plenty of food choices. There will be a lot of teahouses and lodges available in this area throughout the trail. These places will provide simple rooms with essentials like beds, blankets, pillows, showers, and so on. You may have to pay extra money for hot showers and charging stations. These services are not provided for free in distant, hilly places. Food selections include Nepali and Tibetan cuisine as well as Indian favorites. You can eat Dal Bhat, pizza, Momos, noodles, and other foods.

Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available in the teahouses and lodges. But it is wise not to consume such types of drinks to avoid any health problems. So, you should drink plenty of water and garlic soup to stay hydrated and healthy.

 Can beginner join this Trip?

Yes, beginners can join this walk with no problems. This hike is suited for both new and experienced hikers. This Annapurna Sikles Trek has fewer tough trails and obstacles, making it ideal for first-time trekkers in Nepal. Another plus point in this trek is that you don’t have to ascend higher altitudes in this journey. So, there is no record of people suffering from altitude sickness in this trekking, ensuring a safer and more comfortable trip. This trek is ideal for those who want to explore the Annapurna region without any hard work.

Preparation & Fitness

Annapurna Sikles Trek is a moderate-level, easy trek. So, you don’t need any climbing skills to pursue this thrilling 12-day journey in the Annapurna region. However, it might be a good idea to come prepared to avoid any kind of problems during the trek.

If you are in good shape and healthy, this trek can be extremely easy for you. There is no rough, hard climb, unlike other popular trekking routes. If you are not fit, you can get weary after a few hours of walking. As you need to walk almost five to six hours normally in this entire trip, being fit will be a huge bonus point for you. You can be fit by doing physical exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, swimming, cycling, and many others to increase your stamina and strength. This exercise will help you a lot while trekking. And boost your walking speed.

Permit

One of the requirements of the Sikles trek is the two permits the trekkers will need to acquire. To be specific, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) will be given to all the people who want to get into the area, Nepalese citizens, and every country in SAARC, but the cost will be different. While a person from a different country pays 3000 Nepali rupees for only one person, a citizen of the SAARC country is supposed to pay 1000 Nepalese rupees.  Also, the second requirement is the TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card, which stands for USD 18 per person for foreign country people and USD 4 per person for SAARC country people.

This is to ensure safety and record-keeping. You may as well go to Nepal Tourism Board offices located in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal) to get a TIMS card as well.

Transportation

Transportation costs will already be added to our Annapurna Sikles Trek package. We’ll come to pick you up from the airport on your first day in Nepal. On the second day, we’ll drive you to the different major places in Kathmandu Valley in a private vehicle. Then we’ll take a tour bus to Pokhara. You can also fly to Pokhara; however, we will not cover the expense. On the fourth day, we’ll take a short drive from Pokhara to Hemja, where your trip will begin.

On the return journey, we will also be riding a bus to Kathmandu from Pokhara. And on your last day, we will escort you to the airport via our private vehicle when you head to your home country.

What to expect from this trip

As part of the Annapurna Sikles Trek, an individual will experience an engaging and exciting 12-day walk through the Gurung community and nature tableaus. Sikles village is the main part, a place rich in history as related to being one of the oldest towns in the Annapurna region, which, apart from the amazing views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna peaks, is the most insulation place.

You will be able to notice the cultural and traditional activities of Gurungs living in the region of Nepal. The charm of the settlement lies in its location amidst the terraced field, the surrounding nature, along with the wild species, such as rhododendrons, and the thick forests of oak. This trek is a perfect selection of the natural world and Nepalese culture, unsurprisingly, but is most used in the spring and autumn. It’s just right for families and people who are not yet ready to defy themselves at high altitudes, so they will have an unforgettable journey and many remembrances.